Well we and 25 Christmas gift bags only just fitted in to Santa Grotto at the Nelson Trust Women’s centre!  For the 8th year Swindon Soroptimists donated our 25 Christmas gift bags for the vulnerable women who use the Centre.  Each bag had 31 different items, ranging from toiletries to gloves and scarves to pads and chocolate!  We once again had great support from friends and also local Ladies Who Latte, Nordic Walking and WI Book Clubs.  The staff were very grateful with Carrie, Deputy Centre Manager commenting “We thank the Swindon Soroptimists for their amazing donation of all these lovely gifts for the women here. In time of hardship and especially this year they are most gratefully received.”

A group of members from SI Cirencester joined the 200-300 strong “Reclaim the Night March” in Cheltenham on 26 November, organised by the Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre in response to the United Nations Violence Against Women 16 days of action. The  photo includes a member of SI Cheltenham who is the CEO of GRASAC.

Great to meet face to face for a supper and join current, past and prospective members to  celebrate 100 years of Soroptimist International Educating, Empowering  and Enabling Women and Girls! Many congratulations and here’s to 100 more!!   We had a ceremony to light candles to wish for a brilliant and equal future for all women and girls worldwide and celebrate the achievements of our Club, Region and Federation too.

Here we are delivering much needed items to the ‘Survivor’ charity shop, which helps fund the amazing work done by Swindon Women’s Aid. Manager Carol & Sue came out with their trusty trolleys, which we filled to the brim! MANY thanks to Club members and our friends at Marlborough Ladies Who Latte for contributing toys, clothes, bedding, jigsaws and linens. See more of their work at SWA Domestic Abuse

This award is normally given to a club within the region that has made the most impact towards our PAC Goals. In the past year it has been so difficult to chose between the clubs that it was given to the whole region Here you can see Regional President Irene Hockin accepting the award on behalf of the whole region

Just a selection of things that SI Bath and District did to celebrate the SIGBI Day of Action on Saturday 18th July 2o21

  Blue Plaque Unveiled for SI Bristol’s Founder President Miss Addison Phillips   On 28th June, a Blue Plaque to honour Miss Eleanor Addison Phillips was unveiled at Clifton High School. Miss Addison Phillips was Head Mistress there (1908-1933) and Founder President of the Bristol Venture Club (1920). This Club amalgamated with Soroptimists in 1930 and is now SI Bristol.  The unveiling ceremony was to have taken place a year ago during the Club’s centenary but was thwarted by restrictions due to coronavirus. As it was, only three representatives from key organisations could attend.   The plaque was sponsored by Soroptimist International of Bristol, Rotary Club of Bristol and Clifton High School. Present from SI Bristol were President Sue, Immediate Past President Marion and Head of Centenary Committee Maureen.   Following the unveiling by the Lord Lieutenant of Bristol Mrs Peaches Golding, the Head Master

Swindon know the value of ensuring vulnerable women are remembered despite lockdown, so  members Jackie Webb and Lydia Cardew visited the Swindon Nelson Trust Women’s Centre, for the 5th year running, to present 25 individual Easter eggs for the women who use the Centre as well as mini eggs for the hardworking staff!  Senior Keyworker Rae thanked us stating “The women and children will be extremely grateful!  A huge thank you for your continuous support and making lockdown that little bit easier.

SI Jersey hosted The Menstrual Cycle bike ride to celebrate International Menstrual Hygiene Day and raise awareness of period poverty in Jersey as part of their ‘No More Taboo Period’ campaign. The organisation has also partnered with planet-friendly period-care company TOTM, which is donating 500 eco-friendly femcare packs for SI Jersey to pass on to local Year 6 girls going into secondary school in September.